The Glen Sanders Mansion

Today, The Glen Sanders Mansion looks much different than it did when it was originally built in 1658 as a trading port for the Dutch West India Company.

It has become one of the most sought-after destinations in New York’s Capital Region and beyond for weddings, business meetings, fundraisers, social gatherings, and more.

While the history of The Mansion is rich and colorful, it is the people who tell today’s story. Many have been there for decades. Others have gone on to be leaders in the hospitality industry after falling in love with it at The Glen Sanders. For all of them, it holds a special place in their hearts.

Then there are the weddings. The brides who dreamed of weddings there when they were children and the couples who fell in love with the venue.

The Glen Sanders Mansion holds a special place in the history of the community and the lives of those who have passed through its storied halls.

“I remember my interview at 16, walking into this huge building and having no understanding of what “bussing” tables meant.

At any time there could be 3 banquets, a full dinning room, 3 breakout rooms, and a full lounge. The buzz of the building was contagious and I instantly feel in love with the hospitality industry!”

-Justine Ochal, Vice President of Sales and Client Relations, Mazzone Hospitality

THE HISTORY

The most common question asked about the Mansion is “Who is Glen Sanders?” The Mansion is actually named for two families, the Glens and the Sanders, each an integral part of the area’s history.

Alexander Lindsey Glen, born in Scotland, was the first to settle on the north side of the Mohawk River. The year was 1658, three years before the founding of Schenectady.

Built as a trading port, the original structure was a substantial stone house about 100 feet closer to the river. Glen was an agent for the Dutch West India Company, and the Mohawk Valley was a much-traveled pathway for trappers from the north. Glen was compelled by flooding damages. to salvage what he could and use the materials in the construction of a new, one-room dwelling, now the wait staff prep area of the present house. The new house soon included a hall and three rooms. The original Dutch gambrell roof is still intact.

In 1713, Glen’s son expanded the house with the East Wing, now a private event room and The Lounge restaurant & bar. The family hosted many historical figures including General George Washington and Louis Philippe of France, who stayed here in exile.

In 1739, Glen’s granddaughter, Deborah Glen married John Sanders of Albany. In 1765, they became the sole owners of the property, naming it The Glen Sanders Mansion. Until 1961, the house remained in the family’s possession, handed down from generation to generation.

“Let me start by saying I have wanted to get married at this place since I was old enough to start planning my wedding. The revamp that the mansion has received in the past few years was amazing and it gave a modern but still classic feel to our ceremony.” - Lauren

A TOUR OF THE INTERIOR

The Main Hallway’s double Dutch door has homemade hinges and locks. Legend has it the dent in the handrail of the Dutch staircase came from an Oneida Indian throwing a tomahawk that barely missed Mrs. John Sanders.

The Great Room, added in 1713, embraces the entire first floor of the east wing. Restored in 1978, the small paned windows are original and the Dutch entry door features an original painting by Mrs. John Sanders.

The Deborah Glen Room, dating from the 1680’s, features the original woodwork, mantel, and door paneling.

The Alexander Glen Room is a private meeting room for our “brides to be” to discuss their big day.

The Stockade Room, with its original hand-hewn beams and colonial style, offers dinner or meeting space.

The cooking fireplace dominates the Main Kitchen. Its original hand-hewn beams were sealed over in kitchen modernizations. The room was reopened and restored in 1974.

The Back Service Porch provides handicap access to the dining room and ballroom.

The West Cellar is in the 17th century wing. Some materials used here were salvaged from the earlier house.

“The Glen Sanders Mansion is the most beautiful wedding venue! The lobby and staircase became the focal point of my pictures and ceremony. The entire place was breathtaking! We were able to get ready in their beautiful hospitality suite and Mohawk room, had our ceremony in the lobby, the reception in the ballroom and after party in The Lounge downstairs! Where else are you able to have all of that in one place?!” - Stephanie

About 1685, Mohawk Indians, captured a priest and encamped near the house. (When they sold the property to Glen, they retained the right to camp there.) The Indians asked Glen to lock up the priest until the following morning when they planned to torture and kill him. Glen pretended to agree, but warned the Indians that priests had magical powers and could escape through keyholes. The next morning, Glen secretly hid the priest in a large salt cask headed to Albany. For this act, the house and family were spared in the Schenectady Massacre of 1690.

Legend has it the Underground Railroad ran a tunnel from this cellar to the Alexander Glen House. Although this tunnel has not been uncovered, our driveway does sink along that line each spring.

The East Cellar has always been known as The Maquas Lounge, named after the Dutch word for Mohawk. In 1974, the floor level was lowered two feet and a new entrance was installed. The door was made from old wood and hardware from the house, and copies the Dutch door on the main level.

What appears to be a fireplace is actually an arch support of Dutch design for the fireplace on the first floor. On the wall near the door are family initials and the year 1881 scratched in the plaster. This cellar has been transformed into The Lounge serving as a restaurant and bar.

The Riverfront Ballroom, built in 1989, was designed to reflect the elegance and grandeur of the Mansion. One of the area’s most desired locations for wedding receptions, business meetings, and fundraisers, it can comfortably serve over 400 people. The enclosed patio surrounded by gardens creates a breathtaking setting for cocktail parties and luncheons.

The Inn, added in 1995, was carefully designed to blend with the original facade of the Mansion. It has 17 deluxe rooms and two luxurious suites.

The Mohawk Room is an intimate yet stately dining space. The most private setting at the Mansion, it seats up to 80 people.

THE GROUNDS

The Glen Sanders Mansion encompasses 3.6 acres of land along the Mohawk River within walking distance of downtown Schenectady and the legendary Jumpin’ Jack’s.

• 180 parking spaces

• 5 handicapped parking spaces

• 1 acre of grounds between river and patio for events, seating up to 300 for wedding ceremonies

• professionally landscaped

• boat dock, with 500’ of river front featuring a fountain

• Outdoor pergola

• 2 level terrace

• Upper terrace seats 50 people

• Lower terrace seats 50 people and includes firepits

“I always knew I wanted to get married at Glen Sanders.The venue is absolutely beautiful.We were lucky enough to have amazing weather and were able to get married outside. Everything about the day and this venue were perfect.” - Ashley

THE INN

Originally added to The Mansion in 1995, the inn underwent a $1.4 million renovation in 2019 to upgrade rooms, hospitality suind tes, ballroom, the lobby, patio, HVAC, roof, parking lot. The salon, man cave, bridal suite reception room, and grand staircase were added. In total, the Inn makes up 32,000 sq ft on 3 levels, including the basement.

• 6 Queen rooms 12 King rooms

• 2 Suites

• Lobby - 1800 sq ft, includes reception and concierge desks, fireplace with seating for 16, and grand staircase

• Bridal suite reception room

• Basement - 3 usable rooms, 2600 sq ft, including man cave and salon

“My job doesn’t feel like a job at all. I genuinely love walking Into the Mansion every single day. I applied for a banquet job when I was 17 and it changed my life. It gave me a career and a second family. I truly feel blessed that I have a job that puts a smile on my face.”

- Lesley Pistilli, General Manager, Glen Sanders Mansion

THE BALLROOM AND PATIO

During the 2019 renovation, the ballroom received a facelift with new lighting, dance floor, guest chairs, and paint.

The Ballroom

• 5,000 sq ft

• Dimensions: 50’ x 100’

• Dance Floor: 26’ x 30’

• Ceiling Height: 15’

• Retractable airwall to divide room in half

• Sit down Dinner: 325 guests maximum

• Cocktail Reception: 400 guests maximum

• Custom programmable lighting

• 6 Crystal chandeliers

• 3 - 8’ ft Projection Screens, Ceiling Mounted LCD Projectors

• Cable TV / DVD Player

• Wireless Microphones

• Computer Hookups

• Free WiFi

• On-site service and management staff

The Patio

• Connected to the Ballroom

• Can be used as separate event space or pre-function space for Ballroom events

• Climate Controlled for 4 seasons

• Windowed wall for river view

• 3,200 sq ft

• Seats 200 cocktail style, 90 people seated

MEETINGS

The unique and historic meetings at The Mansion are used frequently by local businesses and associations. The location of the rooms allows for multiple meetings to be taking place at the same time.

• Ballroom, 5050 sq ft

• seats 375 without dance floor and 275 with dance floor

• can be divided in half with retractable airwall

• Meeting rooms

• Mohawk - seats 70

• Stockade - seats 20

• Wine Room - seats 20

• Deborah Glen Room - seats 10

• Banquet kitchen, 2270 sq ft

• Basement prep and storage, 2000 sq ft

From the second we walked into the Glen Sanders Mansion for our tour we knew it was the perfect spot to host our wedding reception. The beautiful ballroom, picturesque cocktail room on the river and the spacious out door patio is the perfect location for wedding receptions. Not to mention the newly renovated lobby with a beautiful staircase and updated guest rooms.” - Erica

DINING

At it’s peak, the restaurants were the place to go in the area, generating $20,000 per week. In 2017, Rivers Casino opened in Schenectady, causing a decrease in revenue. In 2019, RA Associates closed the restaurants to focus on weddings and events.

• 90 seat restaurant, 1806 sq ft

• Wine room, 900 sq ft

• Wine room patio, 500 sq ft

• 62 seat lounge with 45 ft full bar, 1806 sq ft

• Restaurant kitchen, 1400 sq ft

“When I purchased the Mansion is was a 2,700 sq ft house on the banks of the Mohawk. Everyone said it wouldn’t work. We added a ballroom, the restaurant, a kitchen, then the Inn. I won’t say it was easy, but it worked. One of my favorite memories was a night when there were 6 different events, each with a live band.

The Mansion still has it and is ready to be great again.”

- Angelo Mazzone

WEDDINGS AND EVENTS

The grandeur, location, and one-of-a-kind status have resulted in The Glen Sanders Mansion being one of the most popular wedding and event venues in the Capital Region. With the variety of event spaces and hotel room, the Mansion can accommodate events of all sizes and budgets. In fact, prior to COVID, it would not have been uncommon to see 3 banquet events, a full dining room, 3 breakout dining rooms, and a full lounge at the

same time!

While the Mansion is a hot spot for weddings, it also hosts a wide variety of events including:

• birthdays

• proms

• fundraising galas

• corporate meetings

• corporate dinners

• bridal showers

• baby showers

• sports banquets

• bereavements

• mitzvahs

• conferences

Weddings

Total Events

“It was an absolute DREAM to have our wedding reception here. We are from out-of-state were looking for a venue large enough for our family & one that offered onsite lodging. The rooms at the inn are incredible and feel like a five-star hotel. I absolutely loved being able to have access to the pub after the reception to spend more time with our family & bridal party. Our wedding guests were in complete awe of the entire venue! - Sarah

THE NUMBERS

The Glen Sanders Mansion has undergone several renovations and changes physically. It has also evolved financially as Mazzone Hospitality grew and sold. In 2016, off-premise catering operations were moved from Glen Sanders Mansion into the new Mazzone Hospitality headquarters. In 2017, Mazzone Hospitality was sold to RA Associates and Compass. The restaurants were closed in 2019.

(1) Category not included as a separate item in Compass financial reporting, (2) Catering operations moved to the new Mazzone Hospitality headquarters, Schenectady events were catered out of Glen Sanders Mansion, (3) Mazzone Hospitality sold to RA Associates and Compass, (4) Inn revenues are limited to July-September 2017, (5) Inn closed to only wedding guests, (6) Restaurants closed, (7) Covid pandemic in March forced operations to halt for several months. Smaller safe events were held later in the year.

2024 AND BEYOND

The booking window for weddings has extended to one or even two years out and there are many already booked for the coming years. Other events tend to book much more closely to their event dates and lag behind weddings.